Written by: Arron
Edited by: Romina


It’s no secret that music can have a powerful effect on our state of mind. Have you ever been feeling down when that one song comes on the radio that lifts you right back up? Music is a powerful tool for mood regulation and stress. A recent survey done by the  Hi, How Are You Project and American Campus Communities revealed that listening to or playing music was chosen as the top activity by college students to relieve stress and anxiety.

 So how can we take advantage of the powerful effects of music on our mood? Below are 3 ways that music can help.  

 Active Listening to Music

 

The first way that we can use music to deal with stress and anxiety is through active listening. Because of its rhythmic and repetitive aspects, music engages the neocortex of our brain which helps to calm us. According to webmd.com, listening to calming music can decrease blood pressure and heart rate while also lowering your body’s level of the stress hormone cortisol.

 It is worth noting that the type of music one listens to is an important factor when dealing with stress and anxiety. Calming music such as classical and meditation music tend to offer the greatest mood boosting benefits, while more aggressive types of music are less effective. I prefer to listen to music without lyrics when trying to relax. Check out this calming record by Los Angeles based North Americans.

 Making Your Own Music

 

 As Medical News Today has reported, the act of creating music has shown to be beneficial in relieving stress, anxiety, and depression. Research also shows that making music can lower blood pressure, decrease heart rate, and improve memory.

 Learning to play an instrument can also go a long way in building confidence and self-esteem. You don’t have to be a trained musician to create music though. Simply singing along to a favorite tune, or using household items as a drum can have mood boosting effects.

 

Creating A Playlist

 

One way that music therapists often treat patients with music is by creating a mood playlist. The secret to making a healing playlist is when you are feeling down, anxious or upset, find a song or two that expresses how you feel. Then gradually add songs that take you to a happier, more relaxed place. This works well because our brainwaves and heartbeat tend to align with a song’s rhythm, and in turn helps us to process emotions.

 

Conclusion

 

Music can be an effective form of therapy by giving us an outlet to express our feelings and process negative emotions. Research shows that music can positively influence regions of the brain that manage anxiety and stress. It can be an effective way to boost self-esteem as well as help us to connect with other people. However, it is important to consider that, even though music can be such a powerful tool for dealing with our emotions, it is not a substitute to mental health treatment. If you are experiencing stress and emotional experiences that interfere with your ability to function, you should consider talking with a mental health professional.

What do you think? We would love to hear some techniques that help you when you are feeling depressed or anxious. What music do you turn on when you need a mood boost?